As many of you know, I’m a full blood lover of Sigmas smaller cameras – the DP1 (24mm) and DP2 (42mm) – Cameras known for their extremely nice optics and fantastic sensor.
Now, the DP1s was introduced not long ago and for me it was a disappointment as it didn’t get the TRUE II that we love from the DP2 – and it also lacked those cool color modes that many of us discovered as fun and useful. And the last part, with heavy use of both DP1 and DP2 you soon realize that different buttons doing different things on two similar looking cameras is very frustrating. And the DP1s didn’t change any of this. Dp1s did get a better coating and therefore getting better coloristics.
Now, The DP1x comes with answers! Both the TRUE II processor as well as a new AF algorithm, providing high speed auto focusing. In addition, the user interface has been unified with the DP2 series by changing the Set Up Menu and adopting the QS (Quick Set) button. Finally both cameras can be handled without making life hard! In addition to the addition there is a new power save mode that enabled a greater number of pictures be taken on a single charge.
Back of both DP2s and DP1x:
The DP2s has all the goodies from the DP1x added and both cameras can do ISO50 all the way up to ISO3200 in RAW mode and finally Sigma has introduced a new very welcome slider in Sigma Photo Pro 4, a noise reduction slider! This will greatly enhance photo processing in the future for all of Sigmas cameras. At least we hope they will enable the slider for all and not only TRUE II equipped models.
Sigma!
Still there is no monochrome WB mode! Why you say, there is a black and white mode? Yes, up to ISO800 and only when using JPEG. Now, true black and white artists uses RAW only – and seeing the world in black and white when you want black and white result is MUCH better then the current noisier color view when shooting in bad lit situations. So, PLEASE Sigma – add monochrome white balance mode! It’s so simple and yet sophisticated and will truly help a lot of photographers to further enjoy your amazing cameras!
EDIT: You saw it? Please check it out again as it’s now much nicer looking, especially full screen” Make sure you have HD selected.
This video is made for Linn to show on her last day at work for colleges. But I think it might be fun for you to see it as it shows how I work a bit. :)
And here’s a picture of Linn, in case you don’t know what she looks like. She’s the shorter of them two.
I haven’t worked much with Sigma Photo Pro (SPP) in a long time, mostly because Silkypix has come out and some recent shoots had to be developed quickly and at those times Lightroom comes in handy. But tonight I gave SPP a chance to show it’s true self – These are developments exported as 16bit tiffs and post processed in Photoshop using Nik Viveza. It’s fair as Lightroom has tools very similar to what’s possible in Viveza.
In one of our trips we went to the small island, Åstol. It has 200 inhabitants and is very beautiful. These shots I took with DP1 and DP2 – used Sigmas polarizer and Cokin ND graduated filter. And of course a tripod. :) Weather was really boring, cloudy and cold. Pretty windy too.
So, looong shutter speeds as I used maximum aperture for all nature shots. (1-4s) Why? To make water look cool! :D ISO50 and 100 used. Oh, and Adobe Lightroom 3 has developed all shots.
Tuesday evening Bob van Ooik, Olga and Anastasia Vasilkova showed up – on Linns birthday. They stayed a couple of days and we had no real plans more than having a great time. They followed me to my photography classes for young people, and my new film making class. And not only that, we also took a cover photo for a music album – a local rapper that I’ve shot in the past – and we painted with light – you know long exposure and then try to make things look nice running around with the light when it’s dark outside. Really cool. :D But I can’t really show that just yet.
This shot is taken with Sigma DP1 and by Linn. The rest above is taken with the Nikon D700.
We also went to the ocean where we played with my Elinchrom Quadra. Bob brought his D700 (perhaps it belongs to both?) and I enjoyed playing with it a lot. It’s fun with full 35mm and the possibility to shoot when it’s really really bad light. Oh, and it’s so fast too! :D
Olga painting my students while I’m taking a 30s shot.
Above shots are taken at one of my classes, all taken with the D700 – at ISO ranging around 4000-6400. Pretty amazing really. They would probably look better too if I was used to dealing with Nikon raw and if I used other software then Lightroom. :)
If you want to visit Bob and Olgas homepage click here!
Much can be said about the specs of each of these beasts – but nothing for me more interesting than the possibility to grab stunning video or perhaps I should say film – it’s far from “video” in my book. Myself has been waiting now since forever for Red to release the Scarlet but it seams to be delayed – and the biggest difference I think between these two new players is RAW footage. And that’s probably also why I will wait a bit more before jumping on. I think I have a movie director inside that wants to come out. That said, I’ll continue to use Foveon equipped products.
Canon 1D Mark IV video example by Vincent Laforet..
If you can’t play, go here to his smugmug page or his blog.
Nikon D3s video example Video example from Vincent Munier..
Impressive, isn’t it? Consider that both these cams can go all the way up to ISO102400, which is really insane! Compared to RAW footage possible with a RED, above shots still looks good but somewhat video. Did you notice how Canon footage look Canon? A special brownish tone to skin and enviroment that’s always there in low lit situations. Still impressive. :)
Red one footage: Right click and save as!
(HD720, h264 around 500MB size, but well worth looking at) – Oh, the Mysterious-X is on it’s way too – the next generation sensor from RED that will be even more impressive. Starting at a clean ISO800. You surely need lots of ND’s to do outdoor footage with any depth. You can follow some of that here.
Now, looking at all these mighty riders in shiny armor – when do we see the Foveon sensor do film? (except DP) It would probably not be able to go as high ISO wise but colors and definition will surely be in another league. Especially if it will be able to record in some type of RAW format. Should be possible if you consider what RED team has been able to do.
I still enjoy the possibilities provided by the DP1 and DP2 – and it shows that it’s possible. But still, resolution is way too low. :(
Sigma DP1 – my Sigma AML-1 lens adapter review (sorry, nothing new to share).
Movie below shows what I mean with bleeding colors in Silkypix and how you solve it – but I must admit that in many pictures, this type of noise reduction is clearly visible in a way that I really don’t like – especially in bokeh areas. Lucky for us you can reduce and perfect it to your liking, but only almost. Sigma Photo Pro has a better way of noise reduction. I guess they should have being the master of everything Foveon but still.. Also, Sigma has a really really nice sharpening that is somehow not affecting areas out of focus in the same way as the rest of our developers. (RD, Silky and LR included). The Video below tries to somehow show what I mean. Also the RAW is available in this post.
I’m sorry for not being very clear when speaking. I hardly hear myself sometimes. grr.
Pretty amazing really how shallow DOF can isolate an object like this. It’s like entering a new world, and I find it very fascinating. Above shot is taken with the Sigma DP2.
As some of you noticed we like mushrooms, and fall in Sweden is like candy store for kids. These mushrooms are called Trattkantareller in Swedish and Cantharellus tubaeformis in Latin. Now you know. And we will dry them and use them during the cold and inhuman Swedish wintertime. See above shot at original size.
Here follows some shots that been on flickr for some time, but without me saying much. These are a bit Strobist as you can see how I did most of them. :) Btw, Everything in this post is developed using Silkypix. I actually learned more on how to use Silkypix since I developed these but they’ll do for now.
Updated! Now including the RAW from Flyingrooster and Biggydogs english fix.
Movie is now OK. ;)
I also baked a nice little raw pack for you so that if you don’t currently have a Sigma, you can at least play around with some files. It’s a small collection of recent pictures taken with SD14, DP1 and DP2.
The above movie is recorded as HD (1280×720) so view full screen with HD turned on for best experience. It’s currently processed and might be done when you watch. :)
[updated] Thanks silvar23 for the heads up about the DP1s – click here for the announcement! And to Shinzo Fukui for the cool news that there is one more native developer for Sigma RAW files – Silkypix! Click here to download your beta. Windows only though which is a pitty! But VMware is your friend. Anyone tried yet?
According to the German magazine Computerbild the upcoming DP1 update, called DP1s will arrive in November this year. They seam to be quite poetic about the new camera too, at least if you’re reading the Google translated version. Try the last paragraph. It doesn’t say much really about what’s new but my guess is that it will have everything good about the DP2 as the TRUE II engine, faster and easier operations and better image quality with color modes. Perhaps higher resolution for movies? Here hoping. New LCD? That would be great!
Also news about the up’n'coming SD15 – a photo store (Scandinavian photo) has it on their site with a price tag of approximately €800 without tax. Hopefully that means both cameras will be out in a not too distant future. Also this is a VERY welcome update to the somewhat old SD14 and I hope they get buffer and speed right. :) Oh and some bright LCD would be nice and and and..
Now, what I’m really waiting for is a new beast that must be in the make somewhere in the crypts of Sigma – they’re not purchasing Foveon without continuing the magic, are they? I’d like to see a square sensor. Can someone tell me WHY there’s no square sensor except price of cutting the sensor cake differently? No more portrait or landscape thinking – just as with my Mudan 6×6. That’s such a great way to take photos. In RAW they’re always square – in Jpeg you select what ever size you prefer. Or are lenses made for 2/3? is the coating etc just bad in the upper / lower unused part? Also one of the very first tests of the foveon camera back in 2002 utilized a square sensor. Sooo cool. :D
Alright, I got that off my chest, feel much better now. Thoughts?
With the Sigma AML-1 you get closer, and not only that you get even shorter area in focus. You can create new worlds. :) I had the Sigma polarizer attached as well. Further down in this article you will see shots with and without reflections plus a comparison with DP1 and DP2. All except one shot is taken with DP2.
All are developed using SPP. No post production made except vignetting on three shots (you see it clearly). Can you match the number to the correct camera? They’re so many so if you pick two shots from each camera that’s enough. The SD14 used a 18-50mm EX lens + polarizer.. Winning what? Great honor! :D
Just came home from a wedding session and wanted to share this very DP1′ish shot! :D I wanted the flash inside to get the “sunny” feeling. hehe. Anyways. BEDTIME.
It was raining and great shutter speeds turned into seconds. Well, what to do? These are shots taken with the DP1. I have lots of this type of pictures as I love them. It’s a cool way of isolating a subject. Not always successful but always worth a try. If you have taken shots like this please add in commenting field, I’d love to see yours!
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